Actions

Gillibrand urges change in VA rules on marijuana

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow its doctors to discuss medical marijuana with patients in states where medical marijuana is legal.

Gillibrand is holding a news conference at her Manhattan office Sunday to urge a change in the current VA policy.

The policy prohibits VA doctors from recommending medical marijuana as a treatment option to veterans, even in states like New York where medical marijuana is legal. The policy is up for renewal Monday.

Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, says veterans who live in states where medical marijuana is legal should be able to talk to their doctor about it as a treatment option.

But Calvina Fay, executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation, says research shows that marijuana is a harmful drug.